Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 19th, 2022 2:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada jfmichaud, Avalanche Canada

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The forecasted "storm" has one last chance to improve our conditions on Monday night and Tuesday.

As the forecaster is an optimist, the danger rating remains moderate for Tuesday. Hopefully, Mother Nature will respect her promises...

Getting out on the mountain? We need your observations! https://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity has been observed or reported. Please share your observations at info@avalanchequebec.ca, or with the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

The snow on the ground observed on Monday was significantly less than expected... between 2 and 4 cm of new snow fell between Sunday and Monday evening. But let's be hopeful, an additional 5 to 10 cm are possible by Tuesday, probably more in the eastern part of our forecast area like the Madeleine mines. Leeward, this new snow will cover the 15 to 30 cm of wind-affected snow accumulated on the December 8 crust. In some areas where loading was heavier prior to this storm, up to 100 cm of snow accumulated on this crust. The average snowpack height is about 45 to 65 cm at mid-mountain. The strong to extreme northeasterly winds of the last few weather systems have already greatly redistributed the snow, exposing the rock or crust on the windward slopes and this trend will continue with this low.Despite the fresh snow, snow conditions will remain minimal. Remember that crust and obstacles such as rocks, stumps, trees and trunks can still be found barely buried under this beautiful white carpet.Translated with DeepL

Weather Summary

Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.

A low pressure system is still quasi-stationary over the Maritimes and will bring snow to the Chic-Chocs. Areas northeast of Highway 299 could be favored by precipitation. Monday evening and night: Snow 5 to 10 cm, possibly more at the Madeleine mines. Wind northeast 50 to 60 km/h. Low -6. Tuesday: Intermittent snow, 2 to 4 cm. Wind northeast 30 to 50 km/h. High -4Wednesday: Cloudy. Wind south 10-20 km/h. High -4.Thursday: Clearing in the afternoon. Wind northwest 20 to 40 kph. High -7. For more details, check out the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

The new snow, carried by the strong northeast wind, will load the leeward slopes and form new wind slabs. Strong alpine winds will tend to isolate these slabs below breaks in the terrain, convexities and on laterally loaded slopes. These new wind slabs could rest on wind-affected snow or directly on the crust or rocks.

Aspects: South, South West, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 20th, 2022 3:00PM

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